Why Lions have manes

My Dad made a great point yesterday during a conversation about animals. His thought was that God gave lions manes so that Daniel would have a comfortable pillow to sleep on when in the den of lions.

From a preacher’s perspective – that is a cool point. And from what I know about God, I believe it is possible.

When it comes to the trouble that we go through in this life, God is never caught off guard. Often we are, God isn’t.

He knows the way that we take. He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s belly. He knows the end from the beginning. We don’t ever get from God all the details of our future, but He knows, and is interested in the details. Moreover, He plans provisions and protection for us in advance.

Jesus was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Before one man had ever sinned, God had a plan.

Cities were being built, and wells were being dug, years before Israel ever took over the promise land.

While Abraham was walking up one side of the Mount of sacrifice, a ram was walking up the other side, ready to die in Isaacs’s stead.

While Aaron was dancing around a golden calf, Moses was receiving God’s plan for Aaron’s sin and future salvation.

Before the whole world was in famine, God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery, set up as a ruler, and ultimately placed in charge of handing out the food.

While Paul was floating to shore on broken pieces, villagers were building him a fire.

The ark was built 120 years before the flood came. And Noah was called into the ark 7 days before the flood started. Noah wasn’t called out of the ark until the new earth was already fruitful and ready to be occupied.

Before Ruth was ever widowed and hungry, God commanded all field owners to leave the corners of their fields un-harvested, just for the widows.

This list is in no way exhaustive. But it does exemplify the point that God is prepared for our trials when we are not.

Would God care that much about us, to go through all that trouble? Absolutely!

He even put a mane on lions so Daniel would have a comfortable night of sleep.